AI to predict sun's next attack on Earth

Solar storms can wreak havoc on Earth, but if we can predict them, vital infrastructure could be saved

JUST before noon on 1 September 1859, an English solar astronomer named Richard Carrington witnessed the biggest solar flare ever recorded. About 18 hours later, an intense magnetic storm hit Earth. Currents induced in telegraph wires in Europe and North America sparked fires.

If the 1859 event were to occur today, it could devastate our modern technological infrastructure. So researchers are now turning to automated image-processing and artificial intelligence to better forecast the sun's behaviour and give us time to prepare for a solar onslaught.

Over the past two decades, several solar flares and magnetic storms of varying intensity have hit Earth. Solar flares are surges of X-rays, gamma rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation, and they can damage electric grids, fry satellite electronics and endanger astronauts in space. Even passengers and pilots on aircraft flying over the poles are at risk. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which cause magnetic storms, can strike even closer to home (see "Shock wave blackout").

Shock wave blackout

Solar flares are not the only danger from the sun. They are often accompanied by eruptions of the sun's plasma, known as coronal mass ejections. CMEs, which can take a few days to reach Earth, are magnetic shock waves that can disrupt Earth's magnetic field and induce currents in electricity transmission lines and oil pipelines, causing blackouts and fires. In March 1989, a CME-induced magnetic storm took out Hydro-Quebec's electricity grid, causing major power outages in Canada. "Companies didn't want to believe that [the cause] could be something as far away as the sun," says Piet Martens of Montana State University in Bozeman. "It took quite a while to convince them." for more please see this link http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21228424.800-ai-to-predict-suns-next-attack-on-earth.html

What is a Security Wipe and when should I use it?

You may have noticed more how to/help related content on Inside BlackBerry recently. This is all in ramp up to something coming to our happy blog family a little later in September. Stay tuned, and for now enjoy Ty’s great post! – ed.)

In his previous post 5 BlackBerry Safety Tips to Protect your Personal Information, my fellow blogger Alex M. talked about protecting personal information on your BlackBerry® smartphone. The first suggestion he made was to ensure a security wipe is performed before moving to a new device, and I’d like to expand on that a bit.

Before using this function, it is recommended that you back up any data and applications that you like to use on your new BlackBerry smartphone. For information on how to back up and restore your smartphone using BlackBerry® Desktop Software for Windows® or Mac, review the product documentation for your specific version of BlackBerry Desktop Software at http://docs.blackberry.com.

Another thing to note is that this process may take about an hour to complete if the BlackBerry smartphone has encryption enabled. If this is the case, review the user guide for your particular device to identify how to disable encryption before completing these steps.

To initiate a security wipe, complete the following steps:

1. On the BlackBerry smartphone, select Options from the home screen.
2. Select Security Settings, then Security Wipe.
3. Specify what items will be wiped during this process by checking off the boxes.
4. Enter “blackberry” (field is not case-sensitive) and select Wipe.
5. The BlackBerry smartphone will reset a few times, and after this process is complete, it will no longer contain any of your personal data.

If you are replacing or upgrading your device and you have a carrier BlackBerry email account, you will need to contact your wireless service provider to disassociate the account from the smartphone in order to prevent messages from being sent to your old device.

Do you have a question about your BlackBerry smartphone or would like to see a specific topic discussed? If so, please leave a comment!

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Another United Nations Web Site Hacked, Barack Obama info Leaked !

http://thehackernews.com/2011/12/another-united-nations-web-site-hacked.html

Hackers of Team Sector 404 have breached the Spanish Web site for the United Nations Refugee Agency ACNUR. Group claims to be working with Anonymous. Hackers was able to breach site withSQL Injection vulnerability.

They leaked Barack Obama’s email address, username, password (not in clear text), personal phone number and a login ID as shown. Other individuals whose information was leaked are Dirk Wildt from Die Netzmacher and Schaffstein from a non-profit organization called TYPO3 .Info of Other United Nation members also leaked from database.

The team of hackers include PHANTOM, RAWR, IO93, V, ZD4P50N, SPECTRUS, ANONGUS, FIBO,HACKW32, ADREX,NEKA, JJ, & ESCUADRON SPY PEOPLE Y HACKERSMX219 involve in this Hack as Sector 404.

Tablets reign at Asia's biggest technology show

Tablet computers are stealing the show at Asia's largest computer fair, Computex, as competitors to Apple's Ipad vie for attention.

From Taiwan, the BBC's Cindy Sui reports on how tablets are changing the industry.

Facebook 'to seek consent for privacy changes'

Privacy campaigners have welcomed a report that Facebook is to ask users to opt into any changes in the way it uses their personal information.

The social network previously announced alterations to its members' settings without asking for fresh consent.

The website is changing its policy after an investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

Facebook is not commenting on the story at this time.

The report suggests the site has also agreed to privacy audits by an independent organisation over the next 20 years.

However, it says the FTC does not prescribe how consent should be obtained. click to view full story

Hacking Victim Becomes Web Sex Star

Hey girls please be safe with your photos and videos posted by you and may be Hacked by some one 

Example: Angie Varona's private photos were hacked years ago, but consequences linger. watch the video

NASA readies launch of 'dream machine' to Mars

The US space agency is getting ready to launch later this month the biggest, most expensive robotic vehicle ever built to explore Mars for signs that life may once have existed. The rover named Curiosity is set to be launched on November 25.  Click to watch the video

How to Get the Internet on Your Car Stereo

Unless you're driving a tricked-out late model BMW or Mini, you're unlikely to have Internet-based media streaming options built into your vehicle. However, there are ways to replicate that Internet media experience -- just without the integrated controls. The basic premise is to use your smartphone. [More...]

Apple's iPhone 4S scores consumer approval

Consumer Reports, the influential magazine for product reviews, gave a thumbs up to Apple's new iPhone, citing the newest model performed well in tests and doesn't suffer the reception problems found in its predecessor.

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks in front of an image of an iPhone 4S at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California October 4, 2011. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith

CUPERTINO, CA - OCTOBER 04: Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide product marketing Phil Schiller discusses the new iPhone 4s at the company’s headquarters October 4, 2011 in Cupertino, California. The announcement marks the first time new CEO Tim Cook introduced a new product since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs resigned in August.

Apple's iPhone 4S breaks early order record Click See more.....

 

BMW unveils new hybrid concept cars

 

BMW unveiled a pair of concept cars on Nov. 9, one a hybrid and one electric, made of light-weight carbon fiber and a see-through glass exterior. The cars are expected to go into production within the next two to three years.  

Visitors view the BMW i8 concept car at the 64th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, September 17, 2011. The world's biggest auto show is open to the public and runs until September 25. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS)

1. In this image provided by BMW, form left, BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept are shown. BMW is showing off a pair of new hybrid and electric concept cars expected to reach dealer showrooms in the next few years. The German automaker gave journalists in New York a sneak peak of its i3 city car and i8 sports car Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. The cars will officially debut at the Los Angeles auto show next week. Both feature carbon fiber construction, ...more 

2. FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 14: BMW Concept car i-8 is pictured during the press days at the IAA Frankfurt Auto Show on September 14, 2011 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The IAA will be open to the public from September 17 through September 25. (Photo by Thorsten Wagner/Getty Images)

3. FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 14: BMW Concept car i-8 is pictured during the press days at the IAA Frankfurt Auto Show on September 14, 2011 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The IAA will be open to the public from September 17 through September 25. (Photo by Thorsten Wagner/Getty Images)

4. Chief Executive of German luxury carmaker BMW Norbert Reithofer poses inside a BMW i8 Concept car during the presentation of the 'BMW i3 Concept' and 'BMW i8 Concept' cars at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, September 13, 2011. The world's biggest auto show runs until September 25. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS)

5. NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: The BMW i8 concept vehicle is displayed at a sneak preview of the car along with the BMW i3 on November 9, 2011 in New York City. The fully electric BMW i3 and the hybrid BMW i8 are the first electric and hybrid-electric vehicles to use primarily carbon fiber that is a strong and lightweight material that that could significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Both vehicles will make their official North ...more 

6. NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: The interior of the BMW i8 concept vehicle is displayed at a sneak preview of the car along with the BMW i3 on November 9, 2011 in New York City. The fully electric BMW i3 and the hybrid BMW i8 are the first electric and hybrid-electric vehicles to use primarily carbon fiber that is a strong and lightweight material that that could significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Both vehicles will make their ...more 

7. NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: The back of the BMW i8 concept vehicle is displayed at a sneak preview of the car along with the BMW i3 on November 9, 2011 in New York City. The fully electric BMW i3 and the hybrid BMW i8 are the first electric and hybrid-electric vehicles to use primarily carbon fiber that is a strong and lightweight material that that could significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Both vehicles will make their official...more 

8. Visitors look at the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car at an exhibition stand during the Johannesburg International Motor Show at Nasrec in Johannesburg, October 6 2011. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS)

9. Visitors view the BMW i8 concept car at the 64th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, September 17, 2011. The world's biggest auto show is open to the public and runs until September 25. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski (GERMANY - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS)

HTC's Anti-Apple Strategy Wins in U.S. Smartphones

HTC has become the top seller of smartphones in the U.S. with a strategy that's precisely the opposite of Apple's

Facebook cofounder Mark Zuckerberg said he is eager to recruit student talent for his hugely popular social networking site, and he’s interested in building a major presence in the Boston area.

 

New Full Scale Electric Tron Lightcycle Parker Brothers Choppers